Mental Health Technician - Fulltime - Days

Seaside Health System is seeking FULLTIME - DAY SHIFT Mental Health Technicians in our Baton Rouge Inpatient Hospital. Self-motivated candidates who values excellence, integrity and treating patients and colleagues with dignity and respect.

***Day Shift 6:45am to 7:15pm

We offer:

• Competitive Salaries based on experience.
• Collaborative family environment with supportive colleagues.
• Mentoring by senior administrative staff who are committed to your success and professional development.
• Established clinical protocols, policies and procedures based on outcomes and evidence-based practice.
• Medical, Dental, Life, AD&D insurance and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program.

Position Summary: The Mental Health Technician is responsible for direct and indirect patient care. Responsible for assisting the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with direct and indirect patient care activities. Assists in the delivery of care to psychiatric patients who have acute behavioral disorder or an exacerbation of a chronic psychiatric illness. The Mental Health Technician II will work with patients who may be experiencing both medical and psychiatric problems. The Mental Health Technician will utilize; communication and documentation skills listed in the Core Competencies in collaboration with RNs, LPNs, and other team members to fulfill performance requirements. They assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), personal care and comfort measures, as well as assist with certain behavioral interventions and tests/procedures under the direction and supervision of an RN or LPN.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Licensure, Training & Travel Requirements (if applicable):

Education: Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.

Work experience: Experience working with psychiatric patient is preferred but not necessary.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Must be able to:

• Communicate effectively
• document appropriately,
• work independently in a team environment.
• Must have the ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Must maintain CPI and CPR certifications, and year TB checks.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Must have compassion for the mentally ill and be able to work with them in a calm manner.
• Must be able to work well with others as a team.

Travel Requirements: Travel not required unless hospital has to evacuate due to a disaster.

Essential Job Duties/% of Time

• 15-minute rounds checks need to be performed on time to ensure safety of the patients. If you need to be away from patients for longer to do group, lunch, etc., you will be responsible to assign you round sheets to another MHT on duty to monitor your patients. You will also need to monitor other MHT patients if they are unable to do rounds as well when asked. 30%
• Assists in maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu by monitoring compliance with program rules, helping with security and supportive manpower by assisting in control of patients. Constantly monitors the facility for hazards or harmful items in the environment and completes environmental round checklist. Reports any safety issue to nurse. Constantly monitors patients in the facility and completes patient observation sheets on assigned patients. Reports patient/family complaints to the nurse and the patient satisfaction representative. 20%
• Documents significant occurrences, observed behaviors, vital signs, intake and output, weight, and observation findings on Daily MHT worksheet and reports to nurse. Assist with admission of patients, obtaining weights, vital signs, logging in patient belongings and specimen collection. Assist patients with activities of daily living such as grooming, bathing, and ambulation as required by level of function, maintaining hygiene (oral am/pm care), consumption of nourishment/hydration as needed, range of motion/position, assistance devices, and in maintenance of skin integrity/prevention of pressure sores. Documents patients nutritional intake for meals and snacks. Documents patients output and bowel movements. Reports any concerns with intake or output to the nurse. 20%
• Maintains patients laundry, providing clean clothing for daily use. Collects and packs any clothing or patient belongings for discharge and signs the valuables sheet when completed. Assures that all discharged patients get belongings that were logged in. 15%
• Recognizes the impact of group influence by behavior and demonstrates assistance with therapeutic interventions and conducts group session with a preset agenda and format (i.e.: wrap-up group). Actively employs therapeutically acceptable sensitivity and skills in managing inappropriate patient behavior, difficult people, and complex situations. 10%
• Other duties as assigned/required 5%

Guidance Requirement: Direct supervision given. Specific / Detailed instructions provided.

Physical Effort Requirement: Frequent/strenuous physical effort (e.g. lifting, moving heavy objects, etc.)

Equal Employment Opportunity

Seaside Health System is committed to the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees and applicants. It is our policy to ensure that both current and prospective employees are afforded equal employment opportunity without consideration of race, religious creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.